CKUISE WITH THE EXPERIMENTAL SQUADRON. 341 



ron are to meet at Plymouth. All this keeps me in a quandary, 

 and I have not been able to see Sir F. Collier, the captain of the 

 'Vernon,' but possibly shall to-morrow. Since I wrote I have been 

 again at Woolwich, and seen the officers of the 'Vernon.' They 

 were at first rather alarmed at the idea of a professor, and wonder- 

 ed what the deuce he wanted on board. I understand that they 

 are now in better humor ; but the truth is, that pride is the leading 

 article in the character of all sailors on their own ship ; and I am 

 told these dons are determined to take nobody else but myself 

 Captain Hope (not the President's son) and Andrew Hay were with 

 me at Woolwich, and there we picked up Captain Gray* of the 

 Marines (you will remember his singing), who dined with us at 

 Greenwich. I see Blair every day, and pass my time chiefly with 

 offishers, the United Service Club being close at hand. The literary 

 people here seem cockneys. I called yesterday on Miss Landon, 

 who is really a pleasant girl, and seemed much flattered by the old 

 fellow's visit. To-day Blair and I, along with Edward Moxon, 

 (bookseller), take coach for Enfield (at three o'clock), to visit Charles 

 Lamb. We return at night, if there are coaches. On Thursday, I 

 intend going to the Thomsons' down the river, and shall call again 

 on my way on the ' Vernon,' to see what is doing. Meanwhile, you 

 will get this letter on Friday, and be sure it is answered that even- 

 ing, and sent to the General Post- Office. I shall thus hear from 

 you on Monday, and shall then (if not off) have to tell you all our 

 future intentions. Meanwhile it is reported that the cholera is on 

 board the ' Vernon.' 1 If so, I shall not go, but proceed to the Tyne. 

 But say nothing of this to anybody. Yesterday I visited Kensing- 

 ton Gardens with Captain Hope, but saw nobody like Maggy, Ma- 

 ry, Umbs, and yourself. I met there Lord Haddington, and am to 

 dine with him, if I can, before sailing ; but I hope we shall be at 

 rendezvous by Monday night. Tell Maggy to give me all news, 

 and if you have heard again from Johnny. I will send you in my 

 next my direction when we set sail ; and I am not without hopes 

 the squadron may land me in Scotland. Some say there will be 

 fighting, and that the ' Vernon' will lead the van, being, though a 

 frigate, as powerful as a line-of-battle ship. I will write to Ebony 

 about money for the house after I hear from Maggy, and hope you 

 will go on pretty well till I return. Tell Maggy to be civil to Bob, 



* Charks Gray, see p. 132. 



